Ibsons win KFC T20 title after Super Over

Ibsons CC were crowned champions of the newly launched KFC Emirates T20 Club Cricket League with a Super Over triumph against Abu Dhabi Gymkhana.

The tournament is organised for the first time ever by the Emirates Cricket Board’s Domestic Cricket Development Committee (ECB-DCDC) and is presented by Grand Midwest Hotels.

The organisers could not have solicited a better finish at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday after both teams scored an identical 154.

The Super Over was dominated by Ibsons after Faizan Asif hit a brilliant 22 from the one over.
Abu Dhabi Gymkhana’s Naveed Malik (7 not out) and Sajjad Saeed (3 not out) could only manage 11 runs losing by 12 runs as Ibsons emerged champions in a thrilling finish.
 
Opting to bat first, Abu Dhabi Gymkhana openers Arfan Haider and Naveed Malik raced to a superb start of 65 runs.

Haider scored 41 runs from 47 deliveries with the help of three boundaries and a six while Malik blasted 31 from only 15 balls with two hits to the ropes and three over it.

UAE opener Haroon Ifthikar consolidated by smashing 41 from 35 balls consisting of four boundaries.

Mohammad Shafiq’s 11-ball 16 ensured Abu Dhabi Gymkhana achieved 154 for 7 in 20 overs.

Chasing a challenging total, Ibsons openers also provided a bright start with Rameez Raja htting a 15-ball 21 with three fours while Asif adding 14 from 11 balls.

Shehzad Mallik displayed fine form as he blasted 59 runs off only 44 deliveries including five boundaries and two sixes.

Despite his efforts, Ibsons needed 53 runs in the final five overs.

Akbar Rahman fired a quick 27 while Shehbaz Ahmed chipped in with an unbeaten 14 off seven balls and Ibsons too ended up reaching a similar score of 154 for eight in 20 overs to force the super over.

For Abu Dhabi Gymkhana Zeshan Ahmed bagged three wickets while Sajjad Saeed claimed two.

Brief scores:

Ibsons CC bt Abu Dhabi Gymkhana by 12 runs via Super Over.

Abu Dhabi Gymkhana 154 for 5 in 20 overs (Arfan Haider 41, Naveed Malik 31, Haroon Ifthikar 41 not out, Mohammad Shafiq 16; Mishbah Khan 3 for 29, Fayyaz Ahmed 2 for 19). Ibsons 154 for 8 in 20 overs (Rameez Raja 21, Faizan Asif 14, Shehzad Malik 59, Akbar Rahman 27, Shehbaz Ahmed 14 not out; Zeshan Ahmed 3 for 10, Sajjad Saeed 2 for 37).
 
Super Over: Ibsons: 22 for no loss in 1 overs (Faizan Asif 22 not out). Abu Dhahb Gymkhana: 15 for no loss in 1 over.

Other awards

Player of the Tournament: Rameez Shahzad of UBL

Best Batsman: Baber Hussain of UBL

Best Bowler: Misbah Khan of Ibsons CC

Man of the Final: Shehzad Malik of Ibsons CC